Helpful Score: 12
I LOVED the Red Tent, this was no Red Tent. I was completely indifferent to the characters, who really had no redeeming qualities. I just didn't care about them. Compounding this, I also didn't care for the writing style; the chapters go back/forth told between 2 different women's views. If I skimmed over the title of each chapter, I would get confused and have to go back and reread.
For a book with, for the most part 2 women as the main characters (and limited development of any other characters), no emotional attachment to the characters, barely a story, only a hint of romance (nothing I'd think to satisfy romance readers)...it just doesn't have alot going for it.
I have 2 other unread books by this author and not sure if I'll be giving them a chance, at least not for a long while. I couldn't wait to finish this book and start a new one that grabbed me.
For a book with, for the most part 2 women as the main characters (and limited development of any other characters), no emotional attachment to the characters, barely a story, only a hint of romance (nothing I'd think to satisfy romance readers)...it just doesn't have alot going for it.
I have 2 other unread books by this author and not sure if I'll be giving them a chance, at least not for a long while. I couldn't wait to finish this book and start a new one that grabbed me.
Helpful Score: 10
I loved "The Red Tent", and read this because it had been compared to it. However, the similarity between the two books is limited to their having been inspired by biblical women. "The Red Tent" is a well-written, complex novel that is as much an historical exploration of how people lived during those times as it is about the characters. "The Song of Hannah" is simply a potboiling romance set in biblical times. It could have been set in any time. The writing relies on some rather silly conventions for building tension, and the "twists" can be seen coming from miles away.
If you enjoy romantic fiction, you'll probably like this book. If, however, you appreciated the historic complexity of "The Red Tent", you won't find it here.
If you enjoy romantic fiction, you'll probably like this book. If, however, you appreciated the historic complexity of "The Red Tent", you won't find it here.
